Why We Care

Religious liberty. Freedom of conscience.

The right to believe – or not believe – whatever you want about religion.

The right to share these beliefs with others and pass them on to your children.

The right to contribute your hard-earned money only to the religious institutions of your choice (if any).

The right to live your life as you see fit without interference from aggressive religious groups who want to impose their doctrines on you with the help of the government.

These ideas are all part of what makes America special. Enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution, they are central to our identity as a free people. Without freedom of religion, we wouldn’t be the nation that we are.

At Americans United, we believe these freedoms rest on the wall of separation between church and state. A high and firm barrier between the institutions of religion and government serves as a sturdy platform for those freedoms.

AU believes your right to religious liberty is not secure when the government presumes to promote religion over non-religion or favors one faith over another. We believe your rights are not secure when the government uses public services intended for everyone, such as the public schools, to indoctrinate or coerce participation in worship.

Americans United believes your rights are not secure when the federal and state taxes which you pay go toward someone else’s religion or when the government appropriates and displays the symbols of a faith that you may not share.

AU believes in religious freedom, in the right of all Americans to freely choose a faith and support it voluntarily or to follow no religious or spiritual path at all. And we also believe that government-sponsored religion is dangerous and unnecessary. It is wrong for the government to interfere in what must always remain a deeply personal matter.

Americans United believes that only the church-state wall can safeguard our rights. That’s why we defend that wall, every day. That’s why we care.

And it’s why you should, too.

Get the latest on Americans United news and actions in your inbox.

The browser you are using does not support this form. If you would like to make a gift, please try a different browser.

Our work is more important than ever and we need your help—donate to Americans United today.